NORTH WALES CRUSADERS’ player-coach Carl Forster has decided to bring the curtain down on his illustrious playing career at the end of this season.

Merseyside-born Forster fulfilled a childhood dream in turning out for St Helens, and he made his debut alongside star names including James Roby and James Graham.

In a career totalling over 200 professional appearances, Forster enjoyed spells at Salford Red Devils, Whitehaven and Barrow Raiders, prior to arriving in North Wales as a player-coach ahead of the 2023 campaign.

In a post on X, Forster said: “This is a day which I have been looking forward to and dreading at the same time.

“Rugby league is all I have ever known from the age of five, fast forward 27 years and I’m pretty content with how my playing career has gone.

“Ups and downs are part and parcel of the sport, but looking back to my five-year-old self wearing a St Helens shirt, all my childhood my dream was to turn out for Saints, something which I am incredibly proud to have achieved (heritage number 1192).

“I’d like to thank all the teammates which I’ve played with, and the coaches I’ve had the pleasure to learn from.

“However, most of all my thanks goes out to my family – my mum and dad travelling all over the country to take me to training and games, my brother, Craig, who made me want to play rugby after knocking 10 bells out of me in the garden our whole childhood, and my partner, Sam, who takes care of everything to allow me to play and coach whilst always supporting me.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure, and now let’s end this season on a high.”

Forster was on the bench as the Cru were beaten 24-16 by League 1 title-chasers Keighley Cougars at Chester’s Hare Lane ground yesterday.

A Ben Lane penalty was all the Cry had to show for their efforts at half-time as tries from Adam Ryder, Alex Bishop and Jack Miller, who also landed two conversions had the Cougars 16-2 in front.

Cru staged a terrific recovery with tries from Matty Unsworth and Ben Lane bringing them level with 20 minutes to go but two Miller penalties and a try from George Flanagan gave Keighley the points.

Midland Hurricanes leapfrogged Workington Town after beating Anthony Murray’s side 34-22.